Noticing green or blue stains on your pipes or plumbing fixtures may leave you scratching your head. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, these stains can actually be a sign of underlying issues with your water system. Understanding what’s causing them is the first step toward protecting your home and ensuring your water quality is up to par. Our Easterday-Wilson team has all the facts you need:
What Causes Green or Blue Stains?
The primary culprit behind these stains is copper corrosion. Many home plumbing systems use copper pipes, which are durable but reactive when exposed to certain water conditions. Over time, chemical reactions can occur, causing copper particles to dissolve into the water and deposit onto surfaces as those green or blue stains.
Factors That Contribute to Copper Corrosion
- Water Chemistry
If your water is more acidic (low pH), it can eat away at copper pipes, accelerating the corrosion process. Other factors like high chlorine levels, mineral imbalances, or other contaminates in your water can also contribute. - Old Plumbing
Older pipes are more susceptible to corrosion simply because of wear and tear over time. If your home has an aging plumbing system, it could be the root of the problem. - Soft Water
Surprisingly, water that is too soft can also leach copper from pipes. This is because soft water tends to be more aggressive in stripping away minerals, like the copper lining in your pipes. - Standing Water
Stagnant water sitting in pipes for long periods can interact with the copper, leading to higher corrosion levels and stain buildup.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
Those stains aren’t just unpleasant to look at—they might signal a bigger problem lurking below the surface. Corroded pipes can weaken over time, leading to leaks or even total pipe failure. Additionally, elevated copper levels in your water could affect its taste, odor, or, in some cases, health. If you’ve noticed these stains, it’s worth investigating before minor corrosion turns into major damage.
Contact us For All Your Water Treatment and Filtration Needs
If you notice a strange smell or contaminants in your water, Easterday-Wilson Water Services can help. We treat countless water quality problems and eliminate common water contaminants on a daily basis.
Contact us for additional information and schedule your free water evaluation today.